Leatherhead boss Richard Brady has given a stark warning to his league and cup rivals by claiming his side are “nowhere near top gear” yet.

The Tanners have lost just twice in 10 games, including a tough FA Cup defeat to Chelmsford City of the Blue Square South, and they are
fast approaching the first round proper of the FA Trophy.

Moreover, despite only playing four games in the Ryman Division One South, compared with an average of seven, Brady’s bunch are comfortably placed in ninth.

The Tanners return to league action on Saturday when they travel to struggling Merstham– it will be their first league match since September 11.

And they go into the game in fine fettle having beaten Faversham Town 2-0 last weekend to progress to a FA Trophy second qualifying round tie at Whitstable – Tom Bradbrook and Mark Simmons getting the goals.

Brady said: “Against Faversham we were always in control. We had the lion’s share of possession, we did what we needed to do and we were very strong from the back.

“We’re improving all the time and that was the aim from the start of the season.

“We’re playing well, but we’re not converting the chances we’re creating. It is not a concern. I know that the strikers will hit a team for six sooner rather than later.

“We’re nowhere near top gear. We’re solid, but we still have much to improve – such as keeping possession.

“That is the crux of my job, getting the best out of the players.”

Brady is without injured goalkeeper Matt Reed for the Merstham match, and he has brought in Daren Hawkes from Gillingham as cover on a month’s loan.

Midfielder Bentley Graham and defender Liam Pestle made their first starts of the season at Faversham.